Album Notes

Joe Iadanza is a Long Island, New York-based folk-rock singer-songwriter, who composes and delivers deeply personal and inspiring original music. On Iadanza’s debut studio release, Traveling Salesman (2008), his soaring poetic vocals and percussive fingerstyle guitar grooves are accented by the musical talents of a unique group of classically-trained, jazz-schooled and folk-versed musicians.

Featuring original songs by Iadanza, Traveling Salesman is a heart-opening – sometimes foot-stompin’ – album that spans the genres of folk, rock, roots and Americana. It is imbued with what one British music critic called a “European jazz “feel that harkens back to a bygone era. Traveling Salesman explores timeless themes of love, stepping out into the world, and learning to enjoy the ride.

On Traveling Salesman, Iadanza is joined by his core band: Carolin Pook (violin), Craig Akin (double bass) and Joe Hertenstein (drums and percussion). Folk harmony trio Gathering Time (Glen Roethel, Hillary Foxsong and Stuart Markus) provide extensive backing vocals, while Beaucoup Blue’s David Mowry plays slide-dobro on one of the album’s tracks. “Collaborating with friends and giving these talented musicians the freedom to create from their own perspective contributes to the album’s unique sound,” says Iadanza. A U.S. tour of solo and full-band performances to support Traveling Salesman is being planned for 2009.